SWAMP DRAINAGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1032, 4 February 1879, Page 3

SWAMP DRAINAGE.

Sir,—l beg lopvo, through the medium of your paper, to place.the following remarks before the public on the drainago, public works, &c, at present carried on in our neigborhood, viz.: at the swamp lyinground the railway works carried forward by Mr Fallon, Uovernmont oontraotor, between Ohaupo and Te Awarautu. Ido not do this so much for tho interest the general public will take in them as for a Bource of information for the guidance of the General Government in the laying-out of the public money, so that a really profitable result may follow from its outfay. At present, there is a large body of men employed in outting a drain between a lake Known as Kerr's to one called Ngaroto, so that a fall of some 4ft. Cm. may be obtained at the upper portion of the swamp where the railway works cross. This may be obtained in the present dry weather, but when the wet weather sets in all these works will be rendered fruitless—in faot, worthless unless the outlet from the Ngaroto Lake is cleared and all obstructions removed, ty whioh means a fall of from 6ft. to 6ft. may be gained at a mere trifling cost. U the presont works discharge themselves into this lake, and aa it has a rise of 4ft. or 6ft. in the winter seasons it follows that the 4ft. Gin. gained by the other works in dry weathor will be rendered useless. Tho drift of sludge, also, from winter rains are almost sure to find a bed in the work done. The result of clearing the Ngaroto outlet will be to make permanent the works already done, beside*- draining an immense quan tity of very valuable swamp. The Government owns over 100 aero* of it. There are about eighteen settlois living around, and having an interest in the effecta of the drainage, one of whom owns over 20 acres, and if the Government would do this ncuoh-desired work I fool ■uro eaoh party would willingly pay a fair share,—l am, &c, A Settles.